One of the most important vaccine research studies in veterinarymedicine is underway at the University of Wisconsin School of VeterinaryMedicine in Madison. Dr. Ronald Schultz, a leading authority on veterinaryvaccines and Chair of the Department of Pathobiological Sciences, has begunconcurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies to determine the long-termduration of immunity of the canine rabies vaccine, with the goal ofextending the state-mandated interval for boosters. These will be the firstlong-term challenge studies on the canine rabies vaccine to be published inthe United States.

Dr. Schultz comments that: "We are all very excited to start this studythat will hopefully demonstrate that rabies vaccines can provide a minimumof 7 years of immunity."

This research is being financed by The Rabies Challenge Fund, acharitable trust founded by pet vaccine disclosure advocate Kris L.Christine of Maine, who serves as Co-Trustee with world-renowned veterinaryresearch scientist and practicing clinician, Dr. W. Jean Dodds of Hemopet inCalifornia. The Rabies Challenge Fund recently met its goal of $177,000 tofund the studies' first year budget with contributions from dog owners,canine groups, trainers, veterinarians, and small businesses. Annual budgetgoals of $150,000 for the studies must be met in the future.

Dr. Jean Dodds, DVM states: "This is the first time in my 43years of involvement in veterinary issues that what started as a grass-rootseffort to change an outmoded regulation affecting animals will be addressedscientifically by an acknowledged expert to benefit all canines in thefuture."

Scientific data published in 1992 by Michel Aubert and his research teamdemonstrated that dogs were immune to a rabies challenge 5 years aftervaccination, while Dr. Schultz's serological studies documented antibodytiter counts at levels known to confer immunity to rabies 7 yearspost-vaccination. This data strongly suggests that state laws requiringannual or triennial rabies boosters for dogs are redundant. Because therabies vaccine is the most potent of the veterinary vaccines and associatedwith significant adverse reactions, it should not be given more often thanis necessary to maintain immunity. Adverse reactions such autoimmunediseases affecting the thyroid, joints, blood, eyes, skin, kidney, liver,bowel and central nervous system; anaphylactic shock; aggression; seizures;epilepsy; and fibrosarcomas at injection sites are linked to rabiesvaccinations.

Study co-trustee Kris Christine adds: "Because the USDA does not requirevaccine manufacturers to provide long-term duration of immunity studiesdocumenting maximum effectiveness when licensing their products, concerneddog owners have contributed the money to fund this research themselves. Wewant to ensure that rabies immunization laws are based upon independent,long-term scientific data."

More information and regular updates on The Rabies ChallengeFund and the concurrent 5 and 7 year challenge studies it is financing canbe found at the fund's website designed by volunteer Andrea Brin at:www.RabiesChallengeFund.org .